[citation needed] On December 8, 1941, Japanese bombed Clark, Iba, and Loakan Air Fields also Fort Stotsenberg.

Colonel Van Bonnett led his regiment into hiking towards jungles of Cordilleras and reached Balete Pass and rejoined 71st Division in Mexico, Pampanga.

He withdrawn towards to San Jose when he found out it is already in Japanese hands, he decided to stay at the mountains to conduct resistance for as long as possible.

[citation needed] 71st Infantry again was engaged in Layac Junction after General Selleck commander of 71st Division was appointed to setup defense at the main entrance to Bataan.

[citation needed] Battered and exhausted the 71st regiment and other 71st Division units was posted in I Corps at the west coast of Bataan as reserves for rest and refit.

71st Infantry was posted in Aglaloma which is a quiet sector and for the first time the regiment was able to rest for 2 weeks since fighting in Central Luzon.

[citation needed] 71st Infantry and 71st Division was withdrawn to Service Area Command and held as reserve force.